Technologies

Adapted combination of technologies in improved cassava production [Tanzania, United Republic of]

Matumizi ya makinga maji yaloyo imarishwa na mbaazi, samadi, karanga na mbegu bora ya muhogo katika uzarishaji wa muhogo

technologies_1213 - Tanzania, United Republic of

Completeness: 80%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
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SLM specialist:
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SLM specialist:

Tibaijuka Eliud

Missenyi District Council

Tanzania, United Republic of

SLM specialist:

Rutasingwa Antony

Missenyi District Council

Tanzania, United Republic of

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1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2. Description of the SLM Technology

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Improved cassava production through the use of contour bund stabilized with cajanus cajan, manure application, cover crops (ground nuts) and improved cassava germplasm.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

The technology involves a combination of structural, vegetative and agronomic land use practices aiming at improving production of cassava (Manihot esculenta), improving potential of the soil and environmental function of the land. The technology is among a list of basket of choices of SLM practices recently introduced and adapted to the area by land user and experts working with SCC-Vi Agroforestry an NGO contracted/outsourced by the Tras-boundary Agro-ecosystem Management Project (Kagera TAMP) for provision of SLM advisory and extension services.
Contour bunds are constructed across the sloppy landscapes of average slope 5 – 8 % and are arranged in rows from the top to the bottom of the slope. The average distance between contour bunds is 15 meters. A contour bund is a row of long narrow furrow of average width 90cm and average depth 30cm dug across the slope using simple tools and leveled using A-frame method. Dug soils are piled below the slope to form a long strip earth of fanya chini bund. The average height and width of a bund is 30cm and 45cm respectively. Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) are planted on contour bund to make them more stronger and productive. A single stand of pigeon pea has two plants and the distance between stands is 30 cm. Improved cassavas (Manihot esculenta) variety (mkombozi) that are resistant to cassava mosaic virus are planted in rows between contour bunds. Within rows, the space between cassavas is 1meter and between rows is 1meter. Manure application is applied before cassava planting at the rate of 2kgs per each plant hole. Cassava is usually planted on May and is harvested after one year. Cassava is planted together with groundnuts (Arachis hypogea) as a cover crop. Despite of having the nutritional advantage to farmers, pigeon pea and groundnuts also diversifies farmers’ livelihood income and have a key role of improving ecosystem through soil water conservation (prevent unproductive loss of green water) and improve soil fertility (through soil nutrient replenishment) and their after harvest remains are sources of organic matter.

Purpose of the Technology: The purpose of the technology is to:
1) Increase cassava productivity 2) Improved livelihood of the rural poor through diversification of income sources (cajanus cajan, groundnuts and cassava) and 3) conserve and restore ecosystem through soil fertility improvement (replacement of nutrients lost through uptake by plants), soil moisture improvement (by preventing blue water loss through runoff and green water loss through unproductive evaporation) and control of cassava pests and diseases (use of cassava varieties that are resistant to cassava mosaic virus).

Establishment / maintenance activities and inputs: Establishment activities include land preparation, ploughing and harrowing, contour bund construction and leveling using A-frame, manure procurement and application. Maintenance and recurrent activities involves collection of cassava planting materials and planting, vegetative stabilization of the bunds by planting Cajanus cajan, planting of cover crops (groundnuts within cassava farm), weeding/gap filling and harvesting.

Natural / human environment: The natural environment includes crop land dominated with separate annual crops. A combination of structural and vegetative measure (contour bund strengthened and made more productive with Cajanus cajan). Climatic zone is sub humid with 210 length of growing period (LGP). Slope category is moderate lying between 5-8%. Soil texture is gravel sandy loam with medium soil depth.
On human environment, mechanization is dominated by use of handy tools and occasional use of tractors. Production system is mixed (both for subsistence and commercial purposes). Inputs used includes tools (hand hoe, machete, sickles, spade and mattock), light and heavy labour, manure, seeds and cassava planting materials with average annual costs of 1033.47 USD per hectare. Land ownership is individual not titles. The expected average annual gross revenue per hectare accrued from cassava alone is 20580 USD.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

Country:

Tanzania, United Republic of

Region/ State/ Province:

Tanzania/Kagera region

Further specification of location:

Missenyi District Council/Minziro village

Specify the spread of the Technology:
  • evenly spread over an area
If precise area is not known, indicate approximate area covered:
  • < 0.1 km2 (10 ha)
Comments:

SLM technology was applied in the area under FFS training and partially adopted to some individual farmers fields (FFS members).

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:
  • less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:
  • through projects/ external interventions
Comments (type of project, etc.):

Recently introduced through interventions supported by Tran Boundary Agro-ecosystem management project (Kagera TAMP).

3. Classification of the SLM Technology

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

  • improve production
  • reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
  • create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):
  • Agroforestry

Cropland

Cropland

  • Annual cropping
  • Perennial (non-woody) cropping
  • Tree and shrub cropping
Annual cropping - Specify crops:
  • cereals - maize
  • legumes and pulses - beans
  • oilseed crops - groundnuts
  • root/tuber crops - sweet potatoes, yams, taro/cocoyam, other
  • pigeon pea
Perennial (non-woody) cropping - Specify crops:
  • banana/plantain/abaca
  • pineapple
Tree and shrub cropping - Specify crops:
  • avocado
  • coffee, open grown
  • mango, mangosteen, guava
Number of growing seasons per year:
  • 2
Specify:

Longest growing period in days: 120, Longest growing period from month to month: September to December Second longest growing period in days: 90 Second longest growing period from month to month: March to May

Comments:

Major land use problems (compiler’s opinion): Soil erosion caused by rainfall water runoff, low soil fertility due to excessive nutrient plant uptake without replenishment and moisture water stress.

Major land use problems (land users’ perception): Soil erosion, low moisture and low crop productivity.
Type of cropping system and major crops comments: cropping system is largely dominated with annual and perennial cropping and there is also some patches of agroforestry (largely fruit trees like avocados and mangoes).

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:
  • rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

  • improved ground/ vegetation cover
  • integrated soil fertility management

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

agronomic measures

agronomic measures

  • A2: Organic matter/ soil fertility
vegetative measures

vegetative measures

  • V5: Others
structural measures

structural measures

  • S11: Others
Comments:

Specification of other vegetative measures: vegetative stabilization of bund using cajanus cajan
Specification of other structural measures: Contour bund construction

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

soil erosion by water

soil erosion by water

  • Wt: loss of topsoil/ surface erosion
chemical soil deterioration

chemical soil deterioration

  • Cn: fertility decline and reduced organic matter content (not caused by erosion)
Comments:

Main causes of degradation: soil management (no use of soil fertlization measures), crop management (annual, perennial, tree/shrub) (Nutrient removal by plants without replenishment), disturbance of water cycle (infiltration / runoff) (no use of structural measures to control rainfal runoff and support infiltration), change in temperature (Soil moisture stress to excessive rise in temperature due to climatic change and variability), change of seasonal rainfall (Moisrure stress aring from reduction of the seasonal rainfall (due to climatic change and variability)), droughts (Soil moistrure stress due to unpredicted droughts), population pressure (Continuous use of the land without fallow periods or fertilility replenishment), poverty / wealth (Farmer incapacity to invest in sustainable land managment), labour availability (Migration of the youth to the town leaving behind the less enegetic elders incapable of managing labour intensive SLM), education, access to knowledge and support services (Lack of knowledge about SLM.), governance / institutional (No deriberate institutional support to SLM)

Secondary causes of degradation: inputs and infrastructure: (roads, markets, distribution of water points, other, …) (Water runoff intensified by nearby road construction)

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:
  • prevent land degradation
  • restore/ rehabilitate severely degraded land

4. Technical specifications, implementation activities, inputs, and costs

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

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Technical specifications (related to technical drawing):

Technical knowledge required for field staff / advisors: moderate (field staff/agriculture advisers are knowledgeable of the principle behind use of contour bund and manuring and therefore can do with short/simple retraining seminars and learning by doing on the job.)

Technical knowledge required for land users: high (Farmers/land users needs thorough understanding of the principle behind use of contour bund and soil fertility replenishment methods. They also need significant shift of mind set.)

Main technical functions: control of dispersed runoff: retain / trap, control of dispersed runoff: impede / retard, improvement of ground cover, stabilisation of soil (eg by tree roots against land slides), increase in organic matter, increase in nutrient availability (supply, recycling,…), increase of infiltration, increase / maintain water stored in soil, spatial arrangement and diversification of land use

Cover cropping
Material/ species: groundnuts
Quantity/ density: 0.2 ton/ha
Remarks: random

Manure / compost / residues
Material/ species: manure
Quantity/ density: 10ton/ha
Remarks: 1kgs on manure per cassava plant hole

Aligned: -contour
Vegetative material: F : fruit trees / shrubs
Number of plants per (ha): 1000
Vertical interval between rows / strips / blocks (m): 15
Spacing between rows / strips / blocks (m): 15
Vertical interval within rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.6
Width within rows / strips / blocks (m): 0.6

Trees/ shrubs species: cajanus cajani planted as seeds
Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 5 - 8%
Gradient along the rows / strips: 5%

Structural measure: Contour bund
Spacing between structures (m): 15
Depth of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.6
Width of ditches/pits/dams (m): 0.9
Length of ditches/pits/dams (m): 100
Height of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.3
Width of bunds/banks/others (m): 0.3
Length of bunds/banks/others (m): 100

Construction material (earth): dug soils are piled down slope (fanya chini) or above slope (fanya juu)
Slope (which determines the spacing indicated above): 5 -8%
Lateral gradient along the structure: 0%
Vegetation is used for stabilisation of structures.

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

other/ national currency (specify):

Tanzanian shillings

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

1700.0

Indicate average wage cost of hired labour per day:

1.17

4.3 Establishment activities

Activity Timing (season)
1. Planting cajanus cajan (perennial shrub) once
2. Construction of contour bunds once
3. Purchese tools
4. Traction hire

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour Planting cajanus cajan (perennial shrub) person/days 13.0 1.7 22.1 100.0
Labour Construction of contour bunds person/days 13.0 3.46 44.98 100.0
Equipment Tractor (hired) pieces 1.0 95.0 95.0
Equipment Tools pieces 34.0 2.941 99.99 100.0
Plant material Seeds kg 6.0 27.0 162.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology 424.07
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD 0.25
Comments:

Duration of establishment phase: 1 month(s)

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

Activity Timing/ frequency
1. land preparation for tractor operation/ cleaning/grass slashing (usually occasional depends on land complexity) November
2. land manual harrowing (after tractor tilling). November
3. manure application May
4. Planting of cassava and groundnuts. May
5. weeding cassava, groundnuts and pigeon pea (done concurrently) twice
6. Harvesting and transportation of groundnuts. Jully
7. Harvesting and transportation of cassava (after one year) May
8. harvesting cajanus cajan once
9. Maintenance of the contour bunds (cleaning of the furrow floor/walls and reshaping of the bunds) once

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

Specify input Unit Quantity Costs per Unit Total costs per input % of costs borne by land users
Labour land preparation for tractor operation/ cleaning/grass slashing (usually occasional depends on land complexity) person/days 13.0 1.7615 22.9 100.0
Labour land manual harrowing (after tractor tilling). person/days 13.0 3.55 46.15 100.0
Labour manure application person/days 13.0 3.55 46.15 100.0
Labour Planting of cassava and groundnuts. person/days 13.0 0.88 11.44
Plant material Groudnut seeds kg 200.0 0.4706 94.12 100.0
Plant material Cassava cuttings cuttings 10000.0 0.011765 117.65
Fertilizers and biocides Compost/manure tons/ha 10.0 13.235 132.35
Other Labour: weeding cassava, groundnuts and pigeon pea (done concurrently) person/days 13.0 3.54 46.02 100.0
Other Labour: Harvesting and transportation of groundnuts. person/days 13.0 0.88 11.44 100.0
Other Harvesting and transportation of cassava (after one year) person/days 13.0 2.65 34.45 100.0
Other Labour: harvesting cajanus cajan person/days 13.0 1.76 22.88 100.0
Other Labour: Maintenance of the contour bunds (cleaning of the furrow floor/walls and reshaping of the bunds) person/days 6.0 3.83333 23.0 100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology 608.55
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD 0.36
Comments:

Machinery/ tools: hand hoe, sickles, machete and mattock, hand hoe, spade, sickles and machete

The costs are calculated per unit hectare.

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

Manure application is the most cost determinant factor

5. Natural and human environment

5.1 Climate

Annual rainfall
  • < 250 mm
  • 251-500 mm
  • 501-750 mm
  • 751-1,000 mm
  • 1,001-1,500 mm
  • 1,501-2,000 mm
  • 2,001-3,000 mm
  • 3,001-4,000 mm
  • > 4,000 mm
Specifications/ comments on rainfall:

The area receives bimodal type of rainfall (March to May heavy rainfall and Sep to Dec light rainfall season)

Agro-climatic zone
  • sub-humid

Thermal climate class: tropics. Average temperature is 20°C. The average length of growing period is 210 days

5.2 Topography

Slopes on average:
  • flat (0-2%)
  • gentle (3-5%)
  • moderate (6-10%)
  • rolling (11-15%)
  • hilly (16-30%)
  • steep (31-60%)
  • very steep (>60%)
Landforms:
  • plateau/plains
  • ridges
  • mountain slopes
  • hill slopes
  • footslopes
  • valley floors
Altitudinal zone:
  • 0-100 m a.s.l.
  • 101-500 m a.s.l.
  • 501-1,000 m a.s.l.
  • 1,001-1,500 m a.s.l.
  • 1,501-2,000 m a.s.l.
  • 2,001-2,500 m a.s.l.
  • 2,501-3,000 m a.s.l.
  • 3,001-4,000 m a.s.l.
  • > 4,000 m a.s.l.
Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:
  • convex situations
Comments and further specifications on topography:

Altitudinal zone: 1001-1500 m a.s.l. (average attitudinal zonation is 1200 m a.s.l.)
Slopes on average: Moderate (average slope is between 5-6%)

5.3 Soils

Soil depth on average:
  • very shallow (0-20 cm)
  • shallow (21-50 cm)
  • moderately deep (51-80 cm)
  • deep (81-120 cm)
  • very deep (> 120 cm)
Soil texture (topsoil):
  • medium (loamy, silty)
Topsoil organic matter:
  • low (<1%)
If available, attach full soil description or specify the available information, e.g. soil type, soil PH/ acidity, Cation Exchange Capacity, nitrogen, salinity etc.

Soil depth on average: Shallow (Soil depth is between 30 -50 cm)
Soil texture: Medium (Soil texture is sandy loam)
Soil fertility: Low (There is low soil fertility due to nature of soil and wash by rainfall runoff)
Topsoil organic matter: Low (easy washout of organic matter and nutrients due to the nature of the landscape and soil textural characteristics)
Soil drainage/infiltration: Good (The area is dominated by sandy loam soil which characteristically have good drainage and infiltration)
Soil water storage capacity: Medium (characteristics of sandy loam)

5.4 Water availability and quality

Ground water table:

> 50 m

Availability of surface water:

good

Water quality (untreated):

good drinking water

Comments and further specifications on water quality and quantity:

Ground water table: >50m (is difficult to access ground water table)
Availability of surface water: Also poor/none (There is no surface water in the area. People in the nearby or around the area fetch water from the natural springs found in the lower distant hilly/mountain floors)
Water quality: Good drinking water (water in the lower mountainous floors is in permanent water spring and is good drinking water)

5.5 Biodiversity

Species diversity:
  • low
Comments and further specifications on biodiversity:

Flora biodiversity is largely dominated by few species of natural grasses dominated by hyperenia rufa and with some limited amount of fauna (ants, earth worms and some insects).

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Market orientation of production system:
  • mixed (subsistence/ commercial)
Off-farm income:
  • less than 10% of all income
Relative level of wealth:
  • poor
  • average
Individuals or groups:
  • groups/ community
Level of mechanization:
  • manual work
Gender:
  • women
  • men
Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Population density: 10-50 persons/km2
Annual population growth: 0.5% - 1%

15% of the land users are rich and own 20% of the land (own land greater than 5 acres with reliable off farm income).
40% of the land users are average wealthy and own 40% of the land (own land not more than 5 acres with some pety business).
30% of the land users are poor and own 30% of the land (average land owned is 2 acreas).
15% of the land users are poor and own 5% of the land (land owned is less than 2 acres and rely on casual labourer).

Off-farm income specification: average rich and poor land users largely use the technology. On the other hand rich land users with reliable off farm income and very poor land users who largely relies on casual labourer seldom use the technology.
Market orientation: Mixed (cassava and groundnuts production are meant for subsistance and commercial use)
Level of mechanization: Manual work (manually using simple hand tools dominated by hand hoe)

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

  • < 0.5 ha
  • 0.5-1 ha
  • 1-2 ha
  • 2-5 ha
  • 5-15 ha
  • 15-50 ha
  • 50-100 ha
  • 100-500 ha
  • 500-1,000 ha
  • 1,000-10,000 ha
  • > 10,000 ha
Is this considered small-, medium- or large-scale (referring to local context)?
  • small-scale

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:
  • communal/ village
  • individual, titled
Land use rights:
  • communal (organized)
  • individual
Water use rights:
  • communal (organized)
Comments:

Domestic water sources are for the use of all community but are governed by agreed management rules e.g. it is strictly prohibited to water the animals in domestic water sources and there is clear identification and demarcation of areas used for washing and collecting water for drinking and cooking.

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

health:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
education:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
technical assistance:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
employment (e.g. off-farm):
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
markets:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
energy:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
roads and transport:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
drinking water and sanitation:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good
financial services:
  • poor
  • moderate
  • good

6. Impacts and concluding statements

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

crop production

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

1-2 kgs of cassava per crop stand

Quantity after SLM:

2.5-4 Kgs of cassava per crop stand

Comments/ specify:

due to manure application.

risk of production failure

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

50% risk

Quantity after SLM:

10-20% risk

Comments/ specify:

due controll of soil erosion, soil fertility improvement and cantroll of moisture stress.

Income and costs

expenses on agricultural inputs

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

0 tons/ha

Quantity after SLM:

20 tons/ha

Comments/ specify:

Use of farm yard manure.

diversity of income sources

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

1 income source (cassava)

Quantity after SLM:

3 more sources.

Comments/ specify:

additional income from cajanus cajan, groundnuts and beans

workload

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

6

Quantity after SLM:

12

Comments/ specify:

the technology is labour intensive and heavy labour is needed

Socio-cultural impacts

food security/ self-sufficiency

reduced
improved
Quantity before SLM:

1

Quantity after SLM:

3

Comments/ specify:

incresed no of diets cajanus cajan and beans/protein, cassava/carbohydretes, groundnuts/oil

health situation

worsened
improved
Quantity before SLM:

10%

Quantity after SLM:

33%

Comments/ specify:

access to varied food sources and capacity to invest in health services.

community institutions

weakened
strengthened
Quantity before SLM:

0

Quantity after SLM:

1

Comments/ specify:

FFS SLM groups

SLM/ land degradation knowledge

reduced
improved
Quantity before SLM:

5%

Quantity after SLM:

20%

Comments/ specify:

% land users aware of improved conservation/erosion knowledge

situation of socially and economically disadvantaged groups

worsened
improved
Quantity before SLM:

5%

Quantity after SLM:

40%

Comments/ specify:

women involvement in SLM activities

Improved livelihoods and human well-being

decreased
improved
Comments/ specify:

the technology resulted in increased crop production emanated from improved soil fertility and control of erosion. There is also diversification of income sources from cover crops (groundnuts) and cajanus cajan (cow pea) as well as improved diet due to varied food sources. All these contributed to improved livelihood and human well-being

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

surface runoff

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

30%

Quantity after SLM:

5%

Comments/ specify:

runoff speed reduced through the use of contour bund and cover crops

evaporation

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

20%

Quantity after SLM:

10%

Comments/ specify:

evaporation reduced from use of civer crops.

Soil

soil moisture

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

10%

Quantity after SLM:

20%

Comments/ specify:

water stored in soil due to the use of contour bunds and cover crops

soil cover

reduced
improved
Quantity before SLM:

10%

Quantity after SLM:

45%

Comments/ specify:

increased percentage monthly soil coverage with cover crops (ground nuts and beans)

soil loss

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

controll of soil loss through erosion.

nutrient cycling/ recharge

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

nutrients generated from the use of beans (phaseola vulgaris)

soil organic matter/ below ground C

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

following use of farm yard manure

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

plant diversity

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

1

Quantity after SLM:

3

Comments/ specify:

crop varieties planted in different phases on the same land

habitat diversity

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

Farm yard manure is a good medium for increased microbial action and soil fauna

pest/ disease control

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

0%

Quantity after SLM:

50%

Comments/ specify:

increased possibilities for using pest and disease resistant varieties.

Climate and disaster risk reduction

fire risk

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

0%

Quantity after SLM:

100%

Comments/ specify:

Area put uder cultivation are usually protected and less prone to fire burning

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

water availability

decreased
increased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

indirect reduced water loos due to runoff

downstream flooding

increased
reduced
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

rainfall runoff impeded or trapped by contour bunds

downstream siltation

increased
decreased
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

reduced siltation of the natural water spring in the lower mountain/hilly floors.

damage on public/ private infrastructure

increased
reduced
Quantity before SLM:

low

Quantity after SLM:

high

Comments/ specify:

reduced distruction of public roads through eroded soil.

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change
Season increase or decrease How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature increase not well

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
local rainstorm not well
local windstorm not known
Climatological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
drought not well
Hydrological disasters
How does the Technology cope with it?
general (river) flood not known

Other climate-related consequences

Other climate-related consequences
How does the Technology cope with it?
reduced growing period well
Comments:

Cover crops (groundnuts) where used to provide vegetative cover and to some extent reduce the effect of excessive soil moisture loss due to direct sunlight and by reducing the speed of rainfall runoff.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?
Short-term returns:

slightly positive

Long-term returns:

very positive

Comments:

At the beginning only slightly positive benefits are realized this is caused by the high investment/establishment costs. But with time benefits are very positive and overcomes establishment costs (non recurrent costs e.g. due to construction of contour bunds).

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

  • > 50%
If available, quantify (no. of households and/ or area covered):

34 households and 100% of the area covered

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?
  • 11-50%
Comments:

76% of land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support
17 land user families have adopted the Technology with external material support
Comments on acceptance with external material support: 13 members groups participated in 0.25 acre plot of cassava as test crop

24% of land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support
17 land user families have adopted the Technology without any external material support
Comments on spontaneous adoption: early adopters

There is a little trend towards spontaneous adoption of the Technology
Comments on adoption trend: it is early to give the overall picture of technology adoption as it was recently introduced in April 2013.

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Simple to learn/ farmers gained soil fertilization knowledge.
Farmers gained soil management skills through learning by doing
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
The technology contributes in improved crop production and productivity.
Contour bund are stabilized with cajanus cajani which contributes to farmers nutrition and income.
Cover crops (groundnuts) that are grown within cassava are alternative sources of income to farmer before cassava is ready for harvesting and also improves soil fertility and moisture.

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
High initial investment costs. Farmers are capital strapped and have low investment capacity. Raise farmers investment capacity through establishment and their direct engagement to rural micro finance institutions (SACCOS and VICOBA).
Unintended results due to the negative effects of climatic change and variability Find means and ways to mitigate adapt climatic change and variability (e.g. use of drought resistant varieties).
Contour bund construction is labour intensive and can not be performed by older people who lacks physical strength and energy. Make sure that FFS groups compose a balance of youth and elders who can play complementary roles to each others.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys
  • interviews with land users
When were the data compiled (in the field)?

11/06/2014

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